Higher Circulating Testosterone Linked to Higher CAD Risk in Men: Mendelian Randomization and Survival Analyses
Publication: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
24 October 2025
Emily J Morbey, Felix R Day, Adam S Butterworth, Nicholas J Wareham, John R B Perry, Ken K Ong
Abstract:
Testosterone supplementation is increasingly widespread and has well-established beneficial effects on sexual function and metabolic health. However, there remains uncertainty regarding associated cardiovascular risks.
Human genetics studies demonstrated that Mendelian randomisation approaches recapitulate the beneficial effects of testosterone therapy; here we apply this to cardiovascular disease.
Researchers performed a Mendelian randomisation study to assess the causal effect of higher circulating testosterone on coronary artery disease (CAD). We also tested the phenotypic association between measured circulating testosterone and CAD in the cohort of men aged 40 to 69.
